Thursday, June 27, 2013

Madra in Dior


Madra Lord looks divine in this Dior inspired gown borrowed from Phoenix Gene Marshall.  "Diamond" jewelry and a silver brocade evening bag from D.A.E. Originals accent this stunning dress designed by Madeleine Rose Couture.  Miss Lord is a wigged "Postcards from Cannes" Madra Lord by Integrity.  A note on color:  My camera picked up a deeper, richer shade of blue in the color of the dress.  In reality it is a pale, powder blue shade.

Photo courtesy www.dior.com
The inspiration:  Suede dress from the Fall-Winter 1951 Christian Dior Haute Couture collection.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Paris Hats, 1943

Bernard Blossac Illustrations, 1943
Courtesy hprints.com

By 1944, women's hats in German occupied Paris became larger, taller, and more dramatic. While clothing was strictly rationed; hats however, could be made from a variety of unrationed materials and scraps.  Whether is was just a way to stay fashionable, express their individuality or identity, or just to keep up morale in the face of adversity, Paris women embraced these uniquely marvelous hat styles.





American film star, Miss Zita Charles shows her support for the brave women of Paris by wearing a fabulously dramatic hat from The Couture Touch.  The black wool suit with sequin trim is from Robert Tonner's Theatre de la Mode collection, Le Petit Ensemble Noir.  Lace trimmed blouse is from Ashton Drake's "Blonde Lace", leathette gloves from Integrity, purse from Madame Alexander, and earrings from The Couture Touch.  A restyled City Sleeker Zita Charles is from Integrity.





Traveling with Ms. Charles on this trip to Paris is the lovely Miss Gene Marshall.  In need of an appropriate hat to wear with her new jacket, Miss Marshall deftly restyles an old hat into a sensational topper.  The embroidered jacket and hat box from Robert Tonner's "Par Excellence" Brenda Starr ensemble is worn over the sheath from Integrity's "Cherry Smash" costume.  Fur from PD Root, walking stick from "Blonde Lace", and the hat is from "Black Ribbon".  Cascade in Blue Gene Marshall is enhanced with an Integrity articulated body.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

The Scarlet Lady


In an homage to 1940's film noir, Miss Gene Marshall embraces her inner femme fatale to play the protagonist in The Scarlet Lady.


Miss Marshall wears a seductive red dress and jacket ensemble accented with a matching dramatic hat from PD Root.  White leather gloves (Integrity), fur muff (A Touch of Hospitality), and necklace (The Couture Touch) complete the look.  A restyled Caribbean Kiss Gene Marshall is from Ashton Drake.

Beauty lurking in the shadows

Monday, June 17, 2013

American Spring Hats, 1942

Photo by Horst
Spring Hats by Lilly Dache and Hattie Carnegie.  American Vogue, Spring 1942.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

1940's Bathing Beauty


Jazz Singer Miss Violet Waters is spotted relaxing on the Riviera looking glamorous as always in Ashton Drake's "Crimson Sun" bathing suit with hat and matching purse.  The gold snood is from "Song of Spain", cigarette holder from Mystyna, and sunglasses from Horsman. Scripts, fan, and telephone are from "A Hot Day in Hollywood" Accessory Set, hors d'oeuvre platter from Tonner, drink from Mattel, and side table from Retros by Liz Cole.  A restyled Heat Wave Violet Waters is from Integrity.

Monday, June 10, 2013

Piguet Suit, 1941

Robert Piguet suit ensemble
L'Officiel Summer 1941

Thursday, June 6, 2013

1940's Pin Up Style

Gene Marshall
Circa 1940
Film star Gene Marshall poses pin up style in a fabulous costume borrowed from Heat Wave Violet Waters.  To Have and To Hold Gene Marshall from Ashton Drake visited the salon at The Couture Touch for a new do and a new body, courtesy of Integrity.

The 1940's were probably the most popular pin up era.  They played a key role during WWII by keeping soldier's morale up, instilled hope, and provided a brief distraction from the war they were fighting.  Many Hollywood stars including Betty Grable, Ava Gardner, Jane Russell, and Carole Landis helped contribute to the war effort and became highly sought after pin ups.

Carole Landis
Photo courtesy anthropoetics.ucla.edu
Pin up art was also an important part of the period.  These colorful illustrations were usually highlighted with scantily clad girls in fun and playful poses.

"Pay Off" by Art Frahm,
1940
"Day Off"
Circa 1940
Zita Charles poses in delightful pin up style wearing a top and shorts from Integrity's Stepping High Collection.  Shoes from Ashton Drake's "Pinque Passion", bracelet from Facets by Marcia, and Scotty dog from PD Root.  Parfait Zita Charles is from Integrity.

Monday, June 3, 2013

Spring Hats by Suzy, 1936

Illustration by Rene Bouet-Willaumez (RBW) for Vogue, 1936